My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
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Friday 12 December 2008

Wildlife - Unwanted!

Today I decided that as it was raining, I would make a start on the festive decorations by putting up the tree. The tree I have is rather large and it is fully my intention to get a much much smaller one! However, before doing this I decided to thoroughly clean the living room by pulling out the furniture etc etc.

Imagine my horror when moving a table out I discovered that the edge of the carpet nearest the wall was - threadbare!! Further investigation revealed that this extended along that wall to the corner (where the TV stands)- which was even worse, around that corner, along (not very badly) in front of the glass doors and into the opposite corner - where it was bad again.

I rang the company that had supplied and fitted the carpet about 4 years ago. They put me onto someone else who gave me a great deal of helpful advice. They determined that it was a moth which lays its eggs in the parts of the carpet that don't get trodden on - and from then on.....

So off I trotted to the local hardware shop and purchased the relevant spray that should kill the larvae. This I have now applied, and I am instructed to leave the room for 30 minutes and then return to ventilate it very well.

I'm in the 30 minute waiting stage which, when up, I shall return - throw open the windows and external patio door (thank goodness it's not freezing tonight!) and start to put all the furniture back. And will this work?....... Watch this space!

I could really do without this!!

Tomorrow, is another day - as they say................

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

How awful! To kill the larves is one thing but what then? It sounds like the carpet is ruined beyond repair.

Anonymous said...

Oops not signed, sorry!

Anonymous said...

That just can't be true but now ..

Warren Baker said...

hey Tricia,
I have the same problem in my house! I kept finding the little white egg cases on the carpet, I thought it was rice!! My carpet isn't quite in as bad a state as yours sounds though. Good luck on your battle !!

Tricia Ryder said...

Carin (I'm assuming you're anon as well?) Fortunately the damaged parts are at the extreme edges where furniture stands and consequently not easily visible.

Warren - commisserations - yes it sounds exactly the same! I too have those "little white cases".

Cheryl said...

Hi Tricia....these are the same moths that munch on our knitwear.....
I have antique rugs in my house....I spray them with a mixture of water,eucalyptus and lavender oil every autumn (the moths do not like it). I also hoover more than I would, to take up the eggs.......
It is just a fact of life....if the moths get in, they will lay eggs......
When we first moved here we lost several expensive jumpers the first year....I soon learnt.....

mick said...

Oh dear! which is rather inadequate I guess! My carpet is disintegrating under the windows from too much sunshine and bright light! Now that's a problem you wouldn't have I'm sure :-)

Tricia Ryder said...

Lol Mick - I have to confess that "oh dear" wasn't the expression that I used upon making my wildlife discovery today!!

And no, our carpets don't disentegrate from the sun; just fade a little.

oldcrow61 said...

Fascinating! I never knew about this. Of course I know about moths that eat at wool sweaters, etc. but never knew they did a job on carpets. Must keep an eye out.

Tricia Ryder said...

OC - I certainly wish I didn't know about them!!

Apparently they like to be in areas in the carpet that don't get trodden on - so it's the edges by the wall you need keep an eye on - my vacuum cleaner will be over-used now!

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